New classes introduced for next year
Festivus assembly canceled, lunchtime activities continue By Kea Hudson Staff Writer
By Madison Amido Staff Writer Five new classes will be offered at South Pasadena High School during the 2013-2014 school year including Calculus, Algebra 1, Honors Chemistry, AP Computer Science, and tentatively AP Statistics. AP Computer Science will serve as a UC-approved “G” elective and will be taught by Mr. Garrett Shorr. Assistant Principal of Instruction Ms Ginger Merritt is now in the process of selecting new computers, buying desks, and creating a new lab for the course. “I have a training week atStanford in July. AP Comp Sci teachers throughout the country will go to learn how to implement the class,” Mr. Shorr said. “Computer Science teaches basic programming principles using Java; it’s essentially problem solving, logic, and math.” Calculus will cover the same material as AP Calculus but will focus on practical applications and hands-on projects. The math department is currently developing the curriculum and deciding on a teacher. The math department will also offer Algebra 1, which covers content found in both Algebra A and B in one year. Honors Chemistry will be introduced as an alternative class to Chemistry and AP Chemistry. According to Merritt, only 21 students have requested to take the AP Statistics course so far. The class was not offered in the 2012-2013 school year due to a lack of enrollment, and its fate for the 2013-2014 school year has not been decided. “I can say honestly that every class we added to the schedule or course requests will better serve students,” Ms Merritt said.
Anastasia Velicescu
Current Commissioner of Spirit senior Lauren Riley embraces her successor junior Natalie Crepo. See Page 4 for additional coverage.
Second runoff finalizes 2013-2014 Commission By Andrew Shults Staff Writer The 2013-2014 commission was finalized on Wednesday after a second round of runoff elections. After three weeks of campaigning, Andrea Rogando was elected Commissioner of Correspondence and Ronald Tyler Halley was voted Commissioner of Athletics. The South Pasadena High School Associated Student Body implemented a new online voting system this year that allowed students to vote either in the library or on internet capable devices.
“We switched to online voting to increase voter turnout, to make it easier on the student body, and to be more eco-friendly, said current Comissioner of Spirit senior Lauren Riley. “We had the highest number of voters since Mr. Shotwell first became activities director in 2001.” To be elected Commissioner, a student must earn more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate takes a majority, the top two or three candidates participate in a run-off election. A second round of runoffs is held for the top two candidates if there is still no majority. See “Commission” on Page 2
Seniors receive $10,000 Oneonta scholarships By Emily Markese Staff Writer The Oneonta Club Foundation of South Pasadena announced seniors Sofi Goode, Natalie McLain, and Nick O’Brien as the recipients of its scholarship awards on April 17. Each of the students will receive a $10,000 scholarship grant that will go towards their college tuition next year. “I was ecstatic just to be in the top ten, primarily because of the amount of respect I held for the other students I had been grouped with,” McLain said. “When Mr. [Carl] von Bibra called me to tell me I was one of the recipients, I legitimately started to cry a little just because I was so shocked and happy. It probably wasn’t
the most professional response, but I think it pretty effectively summed up how overjoyed I was.” Applicants were required to
submit a letter to the Foundation explaining why they deserve the scholarship. See “Oneonta Scholarship” on Page 2
Rachael Garner
Seniors Sofi Goode, Nick O’Brien, and Natalie McLain earned the Oneonta Club scholarship. Each will be awarded $10,000 for college tuition.
lecting students who attend school on CST testing days and calling them up to the patio at lunch to receive prizes, including gift cards, stuffed animals, and t-shirts shot out of the t-shirt cannon. “Festivus takes some of the sting out of testing,” Anderson said. “We want to show our appreciation for all of the students’ hard work and to encourage everyone to do their best.” Freshman Laura Mendenhall won a Target gift card in the lunchtime raffle on Tuesday. “I think it’s really neat that every student has the opportunity to win a prize,” Mendenhall said. “Testing is definitely not fun, but sharing lunch with friends and festivities can help you get through the week.”
The annual Festivus assembly, traditionally hosted by Principal Ms Janet Anderson in the week before the California Standardized Testing to motivate students, will not be held this year. “Unfortunately, we were not able to pull the assembly together,” Anderson said. “Rather than do a rush job, we’ve decided to take a year off from the assembly.” Although the assembly was canceled, the motivational lunchtime festivities will still take place on the Tiger Patio throughout the testing period. Counselor Ms Maria Long and teachers Ms Denise Gill, Ms Kim Kadletz, Mr. Ian Merrick, and Mr. Shane Mills are scheduled to guest DJ. Ms Patricia Wylie is one of several teachers in charge of the activities on the Tiger Patio, helping to oversee a hula hooping competition between different grade levels. “A little friendly competition helps lift the students’ spirits after a long testing period,” Wylie said. “Life is a hula Anastasia Velicescu hoop—enjoy the swivel.” In addition, An- Principal Janet Anderson and Counselor derson is randomly se- Ms Maria Long fire the t-shirt cannon.
Kim Kadletz nominated for Teacher of the Year By Remeny White News Editor English teacher Ms Kim Kadletz was named the South Pasadena High School 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year yesterday. The award acknowledges excellence and effectiveness in classroom instruction and recognizes professional development in the school and the community. Ms Kadletz teaches Freshman English, Honors Freshman English, and Honors Sophomore English. She also founded the Advanced Placement English Language class at SPHS in 2004. “Ms Kadletz is one of those teachers who pushes you so much, you end up doing really well in her class. I mean, it goes without saying that her class is challenging—which I am sure is her goal—but I feel extremely prepared for the trials and tribulations that AP [Language] will bring next year,” sophomore Honors English student Yvette Tanner said.
“She manages to make learning legitimately fun and entertaining.” SPHS teachers and staff voted for the Teacher of the Year during the faculty meeting on April 23. The school nominees from each of the five schools in the South Pasadena Unified School District will be sent to the district administrators, and one will advance to the next level of recognition. Kadletz is following in the footsteps of science teacher Mr. Paul Groves, who was nominated in 2010 and became a state finalist, and social studies teacher Ms Maryann Nielsen, who also advanced to the state level this year. “Obviously this is a great honor. I think all teachers, especially at SPHS, feel like they work hard all year round, and they do, so to be singled out is very exciting. I don’t know what the future holds in terms of this competition, but I am ready for and enthusiastic about it,” Kadletz said.